A Scholarship Fund for Kids on The Dead End Street.

COMPANY PRESS RELEASE HOQUIAM, WA – April 15, 2000: Dead End Street Publications LLC, in affiliation with corporate manager and Hoquiam native Fred M. Straughn, is pleased to announce the formation of the Robert G. Rutledge Memorial Scholarship Fund, an endowment designed to help fund the collegiate dreams of needy kids in the company’s home town. Named in honor of the late father of Dead End Street Publications co-founder John P. Rutledge, the fund is expected to expand significantly in the years ahead.

“The three of us grew up in a tiny town in Washington State that visually resembles a Fisher Price creation,” comments Ivan R. Black, Dead End Street Publications CIO and co-founder. “But socioeconomically, it’s far from the picturesque village seen by most outsiders. Anyone on the Harbor can tell you that dreams are a hard thing to hold on to, and role models an even more precious commodity. Through our company, John and I hope to make a difference in the lives of people around the world with knowledge of nothing but a dead end street. We’ve been blessed with great people in our lives and a burgeoning business that continues to grow beyond our expectations. It’s been our intent all along to remember the angels who’ve helped mold us into the men we’ve become.”

John P. Rutledge, legal counsel for the company, will act as administrator of the scholarship fund. “I am extremely proud of this endeavor. We plan to start out small, with a gift to one or two Hoquiam High School seniors this year. Eventually, we hope to help dozens of Grays Harbor students further their education. We are ready to begin making a difference in the community that inspired us to dream big. And it feels great to partner with Fred Straughn, our childhood friend, a man who has moved beyond the confines of his small town upbringing to become an influential executive at Phillips Environmental. And still, the vigor with which Fred lives every day is as strong now as when we were kids. He’s become a man with a vision we’d all be wise to emulate.”

Scholarship applications are now available from any Hoquiam High School guidance counselor, and every HHS senior is eligible (regardless of economic, racial or religious status).

About the Robert G. Rutledge: Bob Rutledge died of lung cancer on Thanksgiving morning 1998 at the age of 69.

He was born on June 8, 1929, in Tacoma, but his family moved to Aberdeen when he was a small child. He went on to attend St. Mary's Catholic School, Weatherwax High, and graduated from Saint Martin's High School in Olympia. He served with the U.S.Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. Following his military discharge, he returned to the Harbor and married Mary Plott in May of 1956.

After working for Rayonier, Arden Farms and FG Foster Hardware, he started driving a log truck in 1966 and continued doing so till his partial retirement in June of 1991. Known to his kids and grandkids as “Papa Bobby,” and fellow truckers as “Rutabagie,” Rutledge traveled extensively during his retirement years, visiting his children in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Miami. But most of all, he loved Hawaii. An amateur ornithologist, he was often accompanied by his beloved birds – Howie, Huey, and Hannah. He was also an avid reader and collector of Asiatic art.

Papa Bobby was a bright light in the lives of everyone he touched. And we’ll miss him forever. As usual, the poet said it best:

“Awe, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp. Or what else is Heaven for?”

About the Company:

Founded in 1997, DES has become a premier publisher of electronic literature with diverse interests, including a minority stake in Kids Imagine LLC, a southern California children’s publisher. Visit the company homepage at www.deadendstreet.com and discover for yourself why so many people have decided to "Take a ride down the Dead End Street."